Fishing line

ABSTRACT

A fishing line including a core of at least one multifilament yarn based on synthetic organic fibrous materials such as polyethylene of an ultra-high molecular weight, and a casing formed from polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) film tape which is wound around the core in the S direction and the Z direction or vice versa.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a fishing line.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Fishing lines with a high resistance to breaking are known, which areeither designed as monofilaments or are of a multitude of braided cords,wherein synthetic fibers of great strength are thus employed, such asdiscussed in German Patent Reference DE 44 02 630 C1, for example. As aprotection against damage, such threads and cords are provided with acasing, for example by coating or extrusion, such as discussed in PCTInternational Publication WO 9203922 A1. The employment of adhesivematerials, such as hot melt adhesives, for improving the adhesivenessbetween the casing and/or the filaments is disadvantageous in connectionwith known hybrid fishing lines. Such bonding layers/adhesive layershave a negative effect on the mechanical properties and fatigue strengthunder reversing bending strains of the fishing line, and over time alsobecome brittle, disintegrate and decompose.

Braided or twisted fishing lines also have one disadvantage that theelongation at break is not inconsiderably increased by twisting. It isalso possible when using the fishing line in salt water, whileretrieving the fishing line water droplets are caught between theindividual filaments and leave salt crystals behind when they dry, whichleads to destruction by friction when unreeling the fishing line again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of this invention is to provide a fishing line which willsatisfy the high demands when used in salt water and for large fish.Among the demands made on fishing lines are a large support capacitywith little wear, nip resistance, large resistance to breaking, very lowelongation at break, a smooth surface for good sliding properties, awater-repellent and dirt-repellent surface, tinting capability, goodresistance to knotting, high fatigue strength under reversing bendingstrain, flexibility, UV resistance, weather resistance, transversestrength as high as possible, and high abrasion resistance.

This object is attained with a fishing line discussed in thisspecification and in the claims, which is also universally employableand easy to handle.

The fishing line in accordance with this invention is distinguishedbecause it has a core of at least one multifilament yarn on the basis ofsynthetic organic fiber materials, and a casing made from small filmstrips of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which are firmly wound on thecore in the S-direction and Z-direction or vice versa. Preferably, thewinding takes place alternatingly. With thicker cores, fishing lines, itis also possible to first wind two or more small film strips in theS-direction or Z-direction, or vice versa, and thereafter at least onesmall film strip in the other direction around the core.

The fishing line formed in accordance with this invention meets allrequirements with regard to high strength, breaking resistance andtransverse strength, along with a very low elongation at break, andbecause the casing is made of small film strips of PTFE, it not only hasvery good sliding properties, but is also UV-resistant, water-repellent,dirt-repellent, has a high abrasion resistance and its appearance canalso be changed by tinting.

Advantageous characteristics of the fishing line in accordance with thisinvention can be taken from the distinguishing features discussed in thedependent claims.

It is possible to wind the small film strips made of PTFE around thecore of multifilaments in such a way that a closed sheathing, a casing,is formed.

In accordance with this invention, the core made of synthetic, organic,endless filaments, which can be formed individually or in bundles, caninclude multifilament yarns or spun yarns, which lends the yarn therequired breaking resistance with low elongation at break and the highsupport capacity, while small film strips made of PTFE as the sheathingprovide the required exterior properties, such as sliding properties,fatigue strength under reversing bending strain, abrasion resistance,UV-resistance, weather resistance, water-repellent properties, chemicalresistance, and the ability to be tinted. With the small film strips itis possible to provide a sheathing which is closed like a casingwherein, because of winding a small film strip made of PTFE around thecore, such as a flat structure in contrast to filaments which have alinear structure, the transverse strength of the core is additionallyincreased, because with this winding the breaking resistance of thesmall film strips made of PTFE as the sheathing contribute to theincrease of the cross breaking resistance of the filaments of the core.A circular cross section of the fishing line can also be achieved bywinding the small film strips around the core. In one preferredembodiment of this invention, the fishing line is wound with only twosmall film strips made of PTFE, which form the casing, wherein one ofthe small film strips is wound around the core in the S-direction andthe other small film strip in the Z-direction. The small film strips areattached to the core or to each other over the entirety one side. A firmconnection between core and casing is created by the appropriate firmwinding of the small film strips around the core.

The construction of the fishing line of only two components without acoupling agent, such as the thermoplastic material of the core and thecasing, results in a high degree of flexibility and a fatigue strengthunder reversing bending strains.

The small film strips made of PTFE are preferably wound with 200 to 400turns/m around the core. For the sheathing, the small film strips usedfor producing the fishing line preferably have a width of 1 to 2 mm, inparticular 1 to 1.5 mm. Small film strips made of PTFE of 220 to 880dtex can be used for the sheathing. In this case, 350 to 450 dtex is apreferred range.

Such small film strips made of PTFE are produced by cutting up very thinPTFE films. Preferably, the small film strips are made of 100% purePTFE. PTFE can be permanently subjected to up to 260° C. and willtolerate short time temperature peaks, use temperature, up to 300° C.PTFE is not flammable, because the limiting oxygen index (LOI) lies at95% O₂. The hairline breaking resistance of small film strips made ofPTFE lies in the range between 2.7 to 3.0 cN/dtex with an elongation atbreak of at most 6%.

In comparison with sheaths of thermoplastic materials, for example,extruded on the line, the resistance to knotting of the fishing line inaccordance with this invention is also improved if the casing is madefrom small film strips of PTFE because, with the firm winding of thesmall film strips on the core, the cross breaking resistance of the coreis also increased.

In accordance with this invention, high-strength filaments made oforganic synthetic fibers, in particular multifilament yarns with anelongation at break of less than 8%, preferably less than 6%, andpreferably less than 4%, are preferably employed for the core of thefishing line. The linear density breaking resistance of themultifilaments employed for the core should be at least 20 cN/dtex.

In order to achieve maximum strength along with the least possibleelongation at break of the fishing line in accordance with thisinvention, the high-strength filaments and multifilament yarns formingthe core are aligned with each other substantially straight andextending parallel with each other, for example they are neither twistedin themselves nor with each other. Thus, the fishing line does not curl.With a core having filaments or multifilament yarns that are nottwisted, the original elongation at break is maintained, for example itis not increased, since no structural elongation is added, such as iscreated, for example, during twisting or braiding of filaments. Themultifilament yarns used for the core are preferably also not twisted.

It is also possible in connection with the fishing line of thisinvention to slightly twist the filaments/multifilament yarns formingthe core with each other by 1 to 30 turns/m, wherein untwistedmultifilament yarns can also be employed. Here, too, the low elongationat break is substantially maintained. But, in connection with fishinglines of great breaking resistance and very low elongation at break, itis also possible to twist the filaments/multifilament yarns forming thecore with each other with more than 30 turns, but preferably no morethan 200 turns/m.

In one embodiment, the fishing line in accordance with this inventionhas the core and the casing formed by the small film strips made of PTFEand are mechanically put together into a unit without any adhesivelayers, such as a glue layer, hot melt adhesive or other binders, by thefirm winding of the small film strips made of PTFE around the core. Alarge degree of flexibility and a fatigue strength under reversingbending strains thus result.

Preferably, filaments in the form of multi filament yarns are employedfor the core. Multifilament yarns are of individual filaments of athickness of less than 10 μm, wherein a multifilament yarn of 550 dtexis of approximately 85 to 90 filaments of a thickness of 6 μm, forexample. However, the filaments can even be much thinner, up to adiameter of 2 μm. Multifilament yarns of different sizes, depending onthe application purpose, can be employed for the core, for example 220dtex, 440 dtex, 1,200 dtex, preferably within the range of 110 to 1,800dtex. Multifilament yarns, having filaments that are not twistedtogether, are customarily used.

In one embodiment of the fishing line in accordance with this invention,high-strength filaments/multifilament yarns made of polyethylene of anultra-high molecular weight (UHMW-PE) of 110 to 1,700 dtex and a lineardensity breaking resistance of at least 20 dN/dtex, in particular atleast 25 dN/dtex, and an elongation at break of less than 8%, inparticular less than 6%, are used. This is a core which lends a verylarge support capacity with a very low elongation at break to thefishing line. Customarily, identical filaments/multifilament yarns areused for the core of the fishing line. However, in case of a requirementfor additional properties it is also possible to embody the core withfilaments/multifilament yarns which are structurally different withrespect to their material and/or shape. In another embodiment of thefishing line in accordance with this invention, there is at least oneconductive filament or filament yarn on the basis of a thermoplasticmaterial in addition to the filaments/multifilament yarns made ofsynthetic organic fiber materials of the core. Filaments/filament yarnshaving an electrical resistance of 10⁰ to 10¹⁰ Ohm/cm are employed assuch conductive filaments/filament yarns. The conductive filament yarnspreferably contain nylon or a polyester as the thermoplastic material.Conductivity is achieved by the addition of carbon, wherein this can becontained in the filament and/or is vacuum-deposited onto it. A contentof 5 weight-% carbon in relation to the filament is sufficient.Conductive filaments/filament yarns of thin construction can beemployed, preferably in the range of 18 to 40 dtex. Here, a conductivefilament yarn preferably can have between 1 and 10 filaments. Nylon witha melting point in the range of approximately 215° C., or polyester witha melting point of approximately 255° C., are preferably used for theconductive filament yarns. The conductive filament/filament yarn alsocontributes to improving the adhesion of the filaments. However, thecore of the fishing line should be predominantly of multifilament yarnof relatively great breaking resistance and low elongation at break andwhich has a small proportion of conductive filament yarn, preferably inthe range of 3 to 12 weight-% in relation to the core. It is alsopossible for the multifilament yarns of the core of relatively greatbreaking resistance and low elongation at break to be twisted togetherwith the conductive filament yarns, wherein the twisting can be providedas S- and/or Z-turns, wherein maximally up to 30 twisting turns/m areprovided. Because of the twisting of the conductive filaments/filamentyarns together with the remaining multifilament yarns of the core, areinforcing effect is thus achieved so that the transverse strength ofthe core is increased and therefore the knotting resistance of thefishing line is improved. With the twisting, wherein the thin conductivefilament yarn is embedded in the surface of the remaining multifilamentyarns of the core, the desired round shape of the cross section of thecore, and therefore also of the fishing line, is better achieved. Thecore achieves the required smoothness, flexibility, abrasion resistance,water resistance and sea water-repellent properties, as well asUV-resistance, by the sheathing being made of the small film strips ofPTFE.

In another embodiment, of the fishing line in accordance with thisinvention, there is a core of high-strength filaments of polyethylene ofan ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW-PE) of 300 to 400 dtex and a lineardensity breaking resistance of at least 28%, and an elongation at tearof less than 4%, as well as conductive filament yarn on the basis ofnylon or polyester of 3 to 8 weight-% in relation to the total weight ofthe core. The casing is formed by two small film strips of PTFE, one ofwhich is wound around the core at 200 to 400 turns/m in the S-directionand the other in the Z-direction, or vice versa. The small film stripsmade of PTFE can have a width of 1 to 1.5 mm and the filaments/filamentyarns and conductive filaments of the core are not twisted. A closedcasing is formed by the winding with the small film strips made of PTFE.The water-repellent embodiment of the sheathing made of PTFE and itsclosed state prevent the penetration of the fishing line bywater/saltwater, so that no salt crystals remain after drying, and thefishing line maintains its sliding ability and capability to functionfor winding and unwinding, for a long time.

Fishing lines in accordance with this invention have a high linearsupport capability which, when employing multifilaments made of UHMW-PEfor the core, is at least 35 g/den (31.5 g/dtex).

When using multifilament yarns made of UHMW-PE of 200 dtex (200 dernier)for the core with a break resistance of 31 cN/dtex, or 35 g/den, afishing line in accordance with this invention with a diameter of 0.19mm has a support capability of approximately 8.1 kg, which is of 5.2 kgas the part of the core and 2.9 kg of the casing formed by the smallfilm strips made of PTFE.

In a fishing line in accordance with this invention, with a diameter of0.35 mm with multifilaments made of UHMW-PE of the core of 880 dtex (800dernier), a supporting capacity of approximately 30 kg results, which isof 28 kg based on the core and further 2.5 to 3 kg of the sheathing ofthe core with small film strips made of PTFE.

Because the specific weight of the small film strips made of PTFE ishigher than that of water, while one of the multifilaments of the coreof, for example UHMW-PE, is slightly lower than that of water, it ispossible to determine the weight of the fishing line by the proportionand the ratio of the weight of the core to the weight of the casing, sothat it is somewhat heavier than water and does not float on the water,but sinks. The specific weight of the fishing line preferably lies inthe range between approximately 1.5 to 1.8 g/cm³. A heavier fishing linefurthermore has the advantage that it can be cast from a reel bettersince it develops a higher kinetic energy. In this connection, thedesign of the non-twisted core made of filaments/multifilament yarns isalso of advantage, because the fishing lines does not have a tendency tocurl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fishing line manufacturing method,according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 2 shows a core of a fishing line, according to one embodiment ofthis invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The fishing line in accordance with this invention is schematicallyrepresented in FIG. 1, with the individual components of themanufacturing process. The fishing line 1 comprises the core 10 offilament yarns 101, which are of untwisted filament yarns extendingparallel with each other, and wherein the filament yarns 101 are alsoarranged parallel side-by-side without twisting. Two small film strips201, 202 made of PTFE are wound around the core 10, wherein the smallfilm strip 202 is wound in the Z-direction and the small film strip 201in the S-direction, or vice versa, wherein the two small film stripsform a closed casing 20 made of PTFE. For example, the small film strips201 and 202 are firmly wound around the core 10 with 200 to 400 turns/m.The full surface of one side is wound around the core, or around thefirst small film strip already applied there. Because the core 10 iswound with the small film strips 201, 202 in this way, the crossbreaking resistance of the core 10, and therefore its resistance toknotting is improved. The core 10 and the sheathing 20 form a solidconnection with each other without the use of any adhesives or the like.

In one embodiment of this invention, it is also possible, such as shownin FIG. 2, to construct the core 10 of the fishing line of differentfilaments/filament yarns 101, wherein in addition to filament yarns 101made of a high-strength synthetic fiber, for example preferably UHMW-PE,one or two conductive filaments or filament yarns 102 are added, whicheither form the core, either not twisted together with the remainingmultifilament yarns 101 or twisted together with it. The conductivefilament(s) 102 consist(s) for example of thermoplastic polyester ornylon and each is made conductive by vacuum deposition of a small amountof carbon, for example 5 weight-% in relation to the filament. Theconductive filament yarn can be of a few individual filaments andpreferably has a reduced strength of, for example, 30 dtex. The core 10in accordance with FIG. 2 is subsequently wound with two small filmstrips made of PTFE, as shown in FIG. 1, which form a continuoussheathing, which is also dirt-repellent.

EXAMPLE 1

A core is twisted together, for example in an S-rotation at 20 turns/m,from a multifilament yarn made of synthetic fibers of polyethylene of anultra-high molecular weight UHMW-PE of a density of 0.97 g/cm³, abreaking resistance of 3.1 N/tex, or 35 g/den, a module of elasticity of97 N/tex, and an elongation at break of 3.6%, for example a Dyneema®fiber of 220 dtex, together with a conductive filament yarn of 22 dtexcontaining three filaments on the basis of nylon 6, as well as 5weight-% of carbon applied by vacuum deposition on the surface, whichhas an electrical resistance of 10⁶ to 10⁸ Ohm/cm and an elongation atbreak of 53% and a breaking resistance of 2.9 cN/dtex. Subsequently, twosmall film strips made of PTFE of 420 dtex of a width of approximately1.5 mm with 300 turns/m are wound around the core. The fishing line thusobtained has a diameter of 0.19 mm, has an elongation at break of 4% andhas a linear support capacity of 8.1 kg of a proportion of the core of5.2 kg and of the sheathing of small film strips made of PTFE of 2.9 kg.The fishing line is salt water-resistant, abrasion-resistant, has asmooth surface, is flexible, has a very good resistance to knotting andfatigue strength under reversing bending strain, is UV-resistant, isdirt-repellent and meets all requirements.

EXAMPLE 2

An untwisted core is produced from two multifilament yarns of 220 dtexand a multifilament yarn of 440 dtex of the same material as describedin connection with Example 1, which is subsequently firmly wound withtwo small film strips made of PTFE of 420 dtex and a width ofapproximately 1.5 mm, wherein one small strip is wound in theS-direction and one small strip in the Z-direction around the core.Winding takes place at 300 turns/m. A fishing line of round crosssection with a diameter of 0.35 mm is thus obtained, which has anelongation at break of 3.6% and a linear support capability of 31 kg.

EXAMPLE 3

A core is produced from a multifilament yarn of 440 dtex of the samematerial as described in connection with the Example 1, wherein themultifilament yarns, including their filaments, extend parallel withrespect to each other. As shown in FIG. 1, the core is sheathed in twosmall film strips made of PTFE as described in Example 2, so that aclosed sheathing is thus obtained. The fishing line thus obtained has around diameter of a cross section of 0.28 mm, has an elongation at breakof 3.6% and has a linear support capability of 15.5 kg.

1. A fishing line, comprising: a core made of at least one multifilamentyarn of a synthetic organic fiber material, and a casing made of smallfilm strips of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) which are firmly wound onthe core in a S-direction and Z-direction, or vice versa, wherein thecasing is formed of two small film strips made of PTFE, one of which iswound on the core in the S-direction and another of which is wound inthe Z-direction, and one side of the small film strips is brought in itsentirety into contact with the core, or on top of the other one, whereinthe small film strips are wound on the core with 200 to 400 turns/m. 2.The fishing line in accordance with claim 1, wherein the small filmstrips made of PTFE are of a width of 1 to 2 mm for the core.
 3. Thefishing line in accordance with claim 2, wherein the small film stripsmade of PTFE are of 220 to 880 dtex.
 4. The fishing line in accordancewith claim 3, wherein the small film strips made of PTFE are of 330 to450 dtex.
 5. The fishing line in accordance with claim 4, whereinhigh-strength multifilament yarns with a linear density breakingresistance of at least 20 cN/dtex are used for the core.
 6. The fishingline in accordance with claim 5, wherein high-strength multifilamentyarns with an elongation at break of less than 8% are used for the core.7. The fishing line in accordance with claim 6, wherein thehigh-strength filaments and filament yarns forming the core aresubstantially aligned to extend straight and parallel with each other.8. The fishing line in accordance with claim 6, wherein thehigh-strength filaments and the filament yarns forming the core areslightly twisted together at 1 to 30 turns/m.
 9. The fishing line inaccordance with claim 6, wherein the high-strength filaments and thefilament yarns forming the core are twisted together at more than 30turns/m and less than 200 turns/m.
 10. The fishing line in accordancewith claim 9, wherein the core is formed from filaments of at least oneof a different structure material and shape.
 11. The fishing line inaccordance with claim 10, wherein high-strength filaments/multifilamentyarns made of polyethylene of an ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW-PE)of 110 to 1760 dtex and a linear density breaking resistance of at least20 cN/dtex, and an elongation at break of less than 8%, are used for thecore.
 12. The fishing line in accordance with claim 11, wherein inaddition to the filaments/filament yarns made of synthetic organic fibermaterials, the core contains at least one conductive filament orfilament yarn of a thermoplastic material.
 13. The fishing line inaccordance with claim 12, wherein the conductive filament/filament yarnhas an electrical resistance of 10⁰ to 10¹⁰ Ohm/cm.
 14. The fishing linein accordance with claim 13, wherein carbon is applied to the conductivefilament/filament yarn by vacuum deposition or the conductivefilament/filament yarn contains carbon.
 15. The fishing line inaccordance with claim 14, wherein the core contains 3 to 12 weight-% ofthe conductive filament/filament yarn.
 16. The fishing line inaccordance with claim 14, wherein the conductive filament/filament yarncontains one of nylon and polyester as the thermoplastic material. 17.The fishing line in accordance with claim 14, wherein a conductivefilament yarn of 18 to 40 dtex is used.
 18. The fishing line inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the core has a linear support capacityof at least 35 g/den (31 g/dtex).
 19. A fishing line, comprising: a coremade of at least one multifilament yarn of a synthetic organic fibermaterial, and a casing made of small film strips ofpolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) which are firmly wound on the core in aS-direction and Z-direction, or vice versa, wherein the small filmstrips are wound on the core with 200 to 400 turns/m.
 20. The fishingline in accordance with claim 1, wherein the small film strips made ofPTFE are of a width of 1 to 2 mm for the core.
 21. The fishing line inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the small film strips made of PTFE areof 220 to 880 dtex.
 22. The fishing line in accordance with claim 21,wherein the small film strips made of PTFE are of 330 to 450 dtex. 23.The fishing line in accordance with claim 1, wherein high-strengthmultifilament yarns with a linear density breaking resistance of atleast 20 cN/dtex are used for the core.
 24. The fishing line inaccordance with claim 1, wherein high-strength multifilament yarns withan elongation at break of less than 8% are used for the core.
 25. Thefishing line in accordance with claim 1, wherein the high-strengthfilaments and filament yarns forming the core are substantially alignedto extend straight and parallel with each other.
 26. A fishing line,comprising: a core made of at least one multifilament yarn of asynthetic organic fiber material, and a casing made of small film stripsof polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) which are firmly wound on the core ina S-direction and Z-direction, or vice versa, wherein the high-strengthfilaments and the filament yarns forming the core are twisted togetherat 1 to 30 turns/m.
 27. The fishing line in accordance with claim 1,wherein the high-strength filaments and the filament yarns forming thecore are twisted together at more than 30 turns/m and less than 200turns/m.
 28. The fishing line in accordance with claim 1, wherein thecore is formed from filaments of at least one of a different structurematerial and shape.
 29. The fishing line in accordance with claim 1,wherein the core is made of at least one multifilament yarn ofhigh-strength filaments/multifilament yarns made of polyethylene of anultra-high molecular weight (UHMW-PE) of 110 to 1760 dtex and a lineardensity breaking resistance of at least 20 cN/dtex, and an elongation atbreak of less than 8%.
 30. The fishing line in accordance with claim 1,wherein in addition to filaments/filament yarns made of syntheticorganic fiber materials, the core contains at least one conductivefilament or filament yarn of a thermoplastic material.
 31. The fishingline in accordance with claim 30, wherein the conductivefilament/filament yarn has an electrical resistance of 10⁰ to 10¹⁰Ohm/cm.
 32. The fishing line in accordance with claim 12, wherein one ofcarbon is applied to the conductive filament/filament by vacuumdeposition and the conductive filament/filament contains carbon.
 33. Thefishing line in accordance with claim 12, wherein the core contains 3 to12 weight-% of the conductive filament/filament yarn.
 34. The fishingline in accordance with claim 12, wherein the conductivefilament/filament yarn contains one of nylon and polyester as thethermoplastic material.
 35. The fishing line in accordance with claim12, wherein a conductive filament yarn of 18 to 40 dtex is used.
 36. Thefishing line in accordance with claim 1, wherein the core has a linearsupport capacity of at least 35 g/den (31 g/dtex).